The Andrews Labor Government has ordered new trams and new train carriages to support jobs in Dandenong and carry more passengers across Victoria.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 unveiled yesterday included $218.1 million for 10 more high-capacity, E-Class trams – built in Dandenong, for Melbourne.
The investment will support 500 jobs at Bombardier and local suppliers, and ensure ongoing opportunities for young workers and those re-skilling from other industries, including ex-auto workers.
It means the Labor Government has now ordered 30 E-Class trams since it came to Government – 30 more than the former Liberal Government did in their four years in office.
The Liberal’s failure to order any new trams for the world’s biggest tram network not only put pressure on services, it put local jobs at risk.
The Budget also provided $311.1 million for 39 new VLocity regional carriages, building on the 48 already ordered by the Andrews Labor Government.
This investment will also fund a major re-design of VLocity trains, to enable them to run on long-haul services, including on the North East Line.

The Labor Government has now ordered more than twice the number of regional carriages than the former Liberal Government, who slashed more than $120 million out of V/Line, hurting passengers and services.

The Victorian Budget also provides $193.2 million to make all night public transport on weekends permanent, and continues the Labor Government’s record investment in major transport projects like the Metro Tunnel, Level crossing removals and high-capacity metro trains to run more services to Dandenong.